UT Greek organizations were recognized last Wednesday at the 42nd Annual Greek Awards Banquet for their accomplishments this past year.
“Our community promotes the positives through endeavors such as philanthropic events, community service, recruitment and membership intake, education initiatives and so much more,” assistant director of the Office of Sorority & Fraternity with the Panhellenic Council Jennifer Pierce said at the banquet.
After guests finished their meals, Harriet Collins, graduate assistant for the Interfraternity Council (IFC), introduced House Director of the Year awards and Outstanding Advisor of the Year.
Anne Williams of Alpha Gamma Rho was announced as IFC House Director of the Year, and Leslie Del Vecchio of Phi Mu won Panhellenic House Director of the Year. DeeDee Cooper of Delta Zeta won Outstanding Advisor of the Year.
Next, McKenzie Walsh, graduate assistant for the Panhellenic Council, announced Delta Gamma as winner of the Innovative Program of the Year for its support group.
Dani Clark, senior in journalism and electronic media and Delta Gamma president, said the idea for the support group came from a recognition of the need for and ability of members to help others in difficult situations.
“College can be a difficult experience at any point for anyone, and sometimes students aren’t sure who to reach out to or how to get help,” Clark said. “We wanted to break down those barriers and create a welcoming group that allowed our members to confide in a strong support system and connect with the resources they needed.”
The New Member of the Year awards were presented by IFC President James Eun.
Ryan Greer of Delta Tau Delta won IFC New Member of the Year. Krishna Patel from Sigma Beta Rho won Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) New Member of the Year. Kayla Tisdalefrom Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. won National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Neophyte of the Year. Emma Conn of Delta Zeta won Panhellenic New Member of the Year.
Next, Ravina Patel, MGC president, presented Emerging Leader of the Year awards to John Calvin Bryant of Alpha Gamma Rho and Caroline Arias from Delta Gamma.
The Chapter President of the Year awards were introduced next by Panhellenic President Elizabeth Longmire.
Noah Burbrink from Alpha Tau Omega won the IFC Chapter President of the Year, and Megha Patel of Sigma Sigma Rho won MGC Chapter President of the Year.
Deonna Williams, senior in political science from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., won NPHC Chapter President of the Year, and Alexis Withers, senior in supply chain management from Delta Delta Delta, won Panhellenic Chapter President of the Year.
Williams said that although she sometimes questions her own leadership, the award reassured her that she is doing the best she can in the position.
“As a chapter president, the members look for you for guidance, for support, for reassurance, and you try your best to do all of that, to set the standard and push them to be great,” Williams said. “It’s definitely a humbling and appreciative honor to be recognized as such.”
Withers said that at the beginning of her presidency she knew she couldn’t please every member of her chapter. After realizing she needed to make the correct decision, even it was the unpopular one, Withers said she felt she was able to build on past improvements and also make her own.
“Being a campus leader has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I am beyond thankful I had the opportunity to serve Tri Delta and (UT),” Withers said.
For Withers, the award also humbles her in her current position.
“I consider this award to be a humbling accomplishment but something I could not have accomplished without my support system,” Withers said. “From my family and friends to the 2017 Tri Delta leadership team that I served alongside to the wonderful people at the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, I truly would not have made it through this past year without these individuals.”
RJ Little, NPHC President, presented Outstanding Council Member awards next.
IFC Vice President of Public Relations Austin Sanders won an award for IFC Outstanding Council Member. Devi Patel, 2017 Community Service Chair, won MGC Outstanding Council Member Award, and Eduarda Lague,2017 Vice President of Internal Affairs, won an award for Panhellenic Outstanding Council Member.
Next, director of Sorority and Fraternity Life Kelly Phillips presented Greek Person of the Year Awards.
Hunter Jones of Alpha Gamma Rho received the award for IFC, Jason Patel from Sigma Beta Rho won for MGC, and Rachel Ricker of Alpha Delta Phi was awarded Panhellenic Greek Person of the Year.
Jones, Little and Ricker each announced winners of respective Council President’s Choice Awards.
Jones introduced Jon Reesman of Phi Kappa Alpha for the Council President’s Choice Award. Little announced Janice Branch, coordinator for diversity and community relations for the Haslam College of Business, for the NPHC Council President’s Choice Award. Ricker presented Annie Wright of Alpha Omicron Phi with the Panhellenic Council President’s Choice Award .
Next, announcers gave Chapter of the Year awards.
Assistant director of IFC Trey Robb introduced Sigma Alpha Epsilon for IFC Chapter of the Year. Tenea Lowery, assistant director of MGC and NPHC, announced Sigma Beta Rho for MGC Chapter of the Year and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for NPHC Chapter of the Year. Pierce gave Delta Gamma an award for Panhellenic Chapter of the Year.
“To be recognized as NPC Chapter of the Year is one of the highest honors we can receive and truly displays how much hard work our officers and members put into making Delta Gamma great,” Clark said. “Our officers put the ideas in place, but we wouldn’t be Chapter of the Year without our incredible members, who take on these opportunities and grow them through their leadership and involvement in the community and on campus.”
Greek Members receive awards at the 2018 Greek Awards.
